Finding Vaca feels like a treasure hunt that's well worth the effort. Park in the 777 Figueroa Building and take a rather ominous tunnel down to the main retail stretch along Figueroa Avenue. Make a hard right at the end of the tunnel, and Vaca resides on the ground floor of a tall residential tower. Santana's approach to Spanish fare bucks the trend of mid-range prices, featuring high-end dry-aged beef, lush seafood paellas, and precise tapas.
The freshly revamped, DJ-driven lounge in downtown's historic core filled out with loft-dwelling locals still getting mileage from their Halloween costumes, while incoming Dodger fans hooted and revved their engines out on Main Street. The bar's owner, concert promoter Rolando Alvarez, was off tending to another event, but Bar Franca's two DJ's for the night, Maddy Maia and Tottie of Sisters of Sound, wound up the ebullient crowd under a soft pink, hand-painted barrel roof.